Autoimmune diagnosis issues -Hashimotos Thyroiditis with normal TSH?

Posted by reifsny @reifsny, Jun 2, 2022

Hi,
I have been getting different diagnosis and instructions with meds/vitamins with no resolution. It started over 1.5 years ago, with extreme fatigue, weight gain, nausea, headaches, lack of energy, and brain fog. First they claimed it was all from Covid and anxiety. Then I was told maybe it’s hormonal.
After multiple tests and physicians, they said all they can find is Hashimotos Thyroiditis, which they do not treat until I have an abnormal TSH. My antibodies are extremely high, but that’s all they can find. I don’t know what else to do. Any suggestions? Thanks.

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meeshodge | @meeshodge | Dec 9 7:37am

In reply to @covidstinks2023 "God Bless You swbw0812. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in 2017. My TSH, T3 & T4..." + (show)

@covidstinks2023

God Bless You swbw0812. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in 2017. My TSH, T3 & T4 were also normal, but, I had all the symptoms of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. My Thyroid antibody was around 147 with normal range being 0-0.9. That is how I was diagnosed due to this heightened level and my symptoms.

Hashimotos is an autoimmune disease. The doctor said in fact, I did not need to be on anything at this point since my TSH, T3 & T4 were normal. I have to go in every 3 months for bloodwork and an ultrasound of the thyroid. This is very important.

Hashimoto's is the precursor for Hypothyroidism, BUT, it doesn't always go into Hypothyroidism. I'm just understanding this more in the past few months. It's hard to understand it to be honest.

I was diagnosed last year with Hyperthyroidism which is Graves Disease. My TSH was off at this point. I am on Methimazole for this. I fluctuate back and forth with my symptoms and to be honest, it's very hard to treat with having Graves & Hashimoto's.

My Hashimoto's number has come down to the '40's now which means the inflammation has decreased compared to when I was first diagnosed with it. Try and get your doctor to listen to your SYMPTOMS versus your NUMBERS. I just had my Methimazole adjusted due to my symptoms of Graves Disease had increased.

COVID increased all of my thyroid symptoms greatly and also my acid reflux worsened after COVID. I had an endoscopy done to look at my esophagus and all looked normal. If I have any type of stomach upset, it affects the acid reflux. I alternate between 20 mg to 40 mg of Protonix for reflux....trying to wean myself off presently. I do take 20 mg of Pepcid AC at night to keep from having backup reflux. Weight loss, elevate the head of your bed, no tight clothing around your mid section and nothing to eat after 6 p.m. helps greatly. Eat small meals during the day.

Watch out for foods that trigger reflux. I can no longer eat raw onions, very little pineapple, green peppers, tomatoes, spicy food, sodas & very little coffee. I know....all the things you love, right?

Try and get your doctor to NOT just focus on your Thyroid numbers, but, stress what your symptoms are. If you need to get a 2nd opinion, then do so. Primary Doctors usually will not test all 3 of the Thyroid Markers being your TSH, T3 & T4. They rely a lot on the TSH level. An Endocrinologist checks all of your thyroid levels.

Please remember that just as our blood pressure goes up and down all day long, the thyroid fluctuates as well. Try and keep your stress level down as much as possible.

Praying for you right now for you to feel better. Blessings & Prayers....

Jump to this post

Thyroid testing should include: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, TGAB, Reverse T3 and TPO.
Ask to try LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) It helps with inflammation.

autnchris | @autnchris | Dec 9 8:25am

TPO 23.1
T3 uptake 0.26
Tsh reflex 0.811

No test results for TGAB Reverse T3

meeshodge | @meeshodge | Dec 9 9:01am

In reply to @autnchris "Me too. I have borderline low TSH, T4, T3, and I have a goiter and nodules..." + (show)

Do you have the range values for your results? Your TSH is actually perfect (borderline HYPER). Without being on thyroid meds, this is actually a good number.
Your Free T4 and Free T3 should be in the upper range.

lkirnbauer | @lkirnbauer | Dec 9 9:06am

In reply to @autnchris "Me too. I have borderline low TSH, T4, T3, and I have a goiter and nodules..." + (show)

I would suggest to you to see a different doctor. Yours obviously isn’t listening to you. You need to be on medication. I had hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism and I never knew it! I suddenly began gaining weight, feeling very tired and my ankles were swelling up and I have very bony ankles. I also began growing these “fat patches” I like to call them, on my butt, upper arms and legs (thighs). Not normal for me at all. I now take Synthroid 100 mcg and have my thyroid levels checked every 3 months to keep the medications in check. I have lost weight and no longer have those “fat patches” on my body. You need an Endocrinologist to help you with this as your doctor doesn’t seem to know what to do for you. Good luck!

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Dec 9 9:21am

In reply to @meeshodge "Thyroid testing should include: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, TGAB, Reverse T3 and TPO. Ask to..." + (show)

meeshodge, They do all of these levels on me and more. Thank you for your kindness and suggestion, but I can't take LDN...it causes headaches. I wish I could tolerate it.

Blessings & Hugs....

lkirnbauer | @lkirnbauer | Dec 10 8:30am

In reply to @autnchris "Me too. I have borderline low TSH, T4, T3, and I have a goiter and nodules..." + (show)

It sounds like you have Hypothyroidism. You should be taking Synthroid or something similar. The next time you have a Thyroid blood panel run, ask your doctor to include a TPO Antibody test. That number should be as close to 0 as possible. When mine was tested 2 years ago, it was nearly 600! Tired was an understatement! Get tested! I was where you are and probably worse and now I’m not.

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